In the face of the fact that the landscape of immigration regulations is constantly changing, it is imperative for those planning to get citizenship in the UK to know the current regulations and understand them properly. The EU Settlement Scheme has been an essential tool facilitating the necessary preparations to ensure residency rights for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens living in the United Kingdom since Brexit. This elaborate article outlines the key points of the EU Settlement Scheme, emphasizing how to apply for and obtain pre-settled and settled status.
Deciphering the Decision Letter
After submitting your application to the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll eagerly await a crucial piece of communication from the Home Office: the admission letter. This letter holds important information about your immigration status around the world, whether you get refugee status or not.
What If You Disagree with the Decision?
Without, it is not strange nowadays to find that the applicants have concerns or disagreements with the decision made by the Home Office. In case you focus on this type of situation, the following are some steps you can take.
Waiting for a Decision
While you wait for the EU Settlement Scheme application process completion, you might be curious about the possibility you having to reside and work in Great British. You can prove your status in the UK using the following documents:
- Identity or Citizenship Certification: Your national passport or national identity card is a key element of our country’s identification system.
- EU Settlement Scheme Application Certificate: Follow up on your application by checking your email within a few days and you will find your application confirmation inbox. It is, however, this certificate that matters for being recognized and getting a top-notch job.
Viewing Your Status
Once the letter from the authority has finally arrived, the procedure of the confirmation of your pre-settled or settled status is very easy because you can view your status online on the official GOV.UK website. This is crucial for all European Union, EEA, or Swiss citizens because they lose the physical symbols of their status.
In the face of the fact that the landscape of immigration regulations is constantly changing, it is imperative for those planning to get citizenship in the UK to know the current regulations and understand them properly. The EU Settlement Scheme has been an essential tool facilitating the necessary preparations to ensure residency rights for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens living in the United Kingdom since Brexit. This elaborate article will outline key points of the EU Settlement Scheme, emphasizing how to apply for and obtain pre-settled and settled status.
Deciphering the Decision Letter
After submitting your application to the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll eagerly await a crucial piece of communication from the Home Office: the admission letter. This letter holds important information about your immigration status around the world, whether you get refugee status or not.
What If You Disagree with the Decision?
Without, it is not strange nowadays to find that the applicants have concerns or disagreements with the decision made by the Home Office. In case you focus on this type of situation, the following are some steps you can take.
Waiting for a Decision
While you wait for the EU Settlement Scheme application process completion, you might be curious about the possibility you having to reside and work in Great British. You can prove your status in the UK using the following documents:
1. Identity or Citizenship Certification
Your national passport or national identity card is a key element of our country’s identification system.
2. EU Settlement Scheme Application Certificate
Follow up on your application by checking your email within a few days and you will find your application confirmation inbox. It is, however, this certificate that matters for being recognized and getting a top-notch job.
Viewing Your Status
Once the letter from the authority has finally arrived, the procedure of the confirmation of your pre-settled or settled status is very easy because you can view your status online on the official GOV.UK website. This is crucial for all European Union, EEA, or Swiss citizens because they lose the physical symbols of their status.
Checking Your Child’s Status
Likewise, if your kids aged 18 and above are also on the EU Settlement Scheme, they and their future families will have their cases separate from yours. To retrieve this data, you need to provide the email address or phone number used during the application process.
Providing Proof of Your Right to Work or Rent
Not only you can do that for individual assessment but it also applies, when you need to make any of your status visible to third parties, obtaining a share code from GOV.UK is a good choice. It does this by providing a code that makes it possible for landlords, employers, and local authorities to verify your scheme membership. Nevertheless, be sure to keep in mind that the share codes accommodate use that lasts for only a month. The current one will expire within this time range, so you should request a new one. It is only important to remember that the letter of admission is not the actual proof of your status.
Anti-Discrimination Note
Avoiding the checkpoint you risk stonewalling the nomination of your candidate for a certain reason. If a work environment or housing provider often asks for your proof of residency without a valid purpose, they may be discriminating against you. If you believe you were treated unfairly, seek guidance from an adviser.
Rectifying Home Office Errors
However, there are instances of mistakes which can be sorted. If you can prove that the Home Office has the wrong information about your immigration status, you can commence the action. This step is filling out a form that one is instructed to do to express the inaccuracies. This becomes apparent if the details are antiquated.
Proving Your Right to Enter the UK
Based on your citizenship, you will be instructed on the kind of documents that are needed to enter the United Kingdom.
For EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizens
If you fall into that category, the UK border officials will request your identity documents for both your online and offline life.
Using the ‘eGates’
Through the use of your passport, convenient ‘eGates’ available at airports, click on the ‘enter’ button after scanning your passport- yourself, and you will enjoy a fast lane for entering the country. At the same time, if you pick your identification card, the border will have to be traced.
Managing Your Identity Document
GOV.UK unlocks the possibility of checking or changing the identity document against which your status is verified. This proves to be very useful for citizens that deal with multiple nationalities.
For Non-EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizens
The non-EUs who had their status upgraded by the UK government to the pre-settled or settled status may have a biometric residence card according to the EU Settlement Scheme. This card gives you access to the UK-bound flight.
Transitioning from EEA Biometric Residence Cards
Previously, they accepted EEA residence cards, but now they issue EU Settlement Scheme residence cards. We advise you to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme residence card instead of using your EEA residence card.
The Role of Biometric Residence Permits
As long as you have had a biometric residence permit and you already have either pre-settled or settled status, there is an option to change your document into an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card through GOV.UK portal as well. This choice may be preferable for several reasons:
Nonetheless, ‘permanent residence’ is not a word on your initial residency permit, neither ‘indefinite stay’ nor ‘settled.’
Your original permission is to use the information without publicly funded resources.
In case your first permit is about to expire.
The EU Scheme grants the UK Biometric Residence Card, which eliminates the need for border checks and proves your ability to claim benefits. It’s more appropriate if you have the settled status that the EU Scheme grants.
Eligibility for Benefits
Whether you are classified as economically active, looking for work, or a student, your eligibility for benefits will be determined by your settled or pre-settled status.
Settled Status
Now that you’ve been granted settled status, you can enjoy all the advantages that UK citizens have.
Pre-Settled Status
Ensure that you don’t assume you’re automatically entitled to financial support; pre-settled status does not grant you the right to claim benefits.
At a Jobcentre interview, you are required to show your status during settling and your right of residence. There is nothing different in this as you may manage it very simply by just providing a copy of your pre-settled status decision letter or simply sharing the relevant share code from GOV.UK. For instance, furnishing evidence of employment for the last 12 months if you were employed- you may be asked to present payslips and an employment letter.
Communication with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The DWP might ask you to show your pre-settled or settled status, and they will add it to your online account journal or statements section.
To verify the details, give the code issued against the DWP share, which you can obtain from GOV.UK. Ensure you submit proof of your status within a month from the first day of payment; otherwise, you may not receive your benefits on time.
Keeping Your Status Information Current
It is highly important to update and correct the status. Several scenarios require updates:
- Repair or replicate the document you presented during the immigration application process, such as when your passport was expiring.
- Such as adopting a new name after a different commitment, e.g., marriage.
- Changing (if any) your contacts, for example, address, phone number, or email address.
- Adding or changing identity documents for travel purposes.
When making these updates, you’ll need to upload a picture of the new identity document on GOV.UK. There will be a waiting period before you can log in using your updated identity document details. Be sure to retain the details of your old document until this process is complete.
Accessing Your Online Status
- You no longer have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.
- You’ve replaced the passport or identity document used in your account.
- If you find yourself in such a situation, reaching out to the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre can help recover your account and facilitate the sharing of your status.
Stay informed and follow the outlined procedures to ensure you protect your rights and enjoy the benefits of your immigration status.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the UK straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Visitor Visa or a Study Visa, we handle every step from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need in the UK. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
